Story about Explorer in the New York Times

[gnomie1]

A few weeks ago the travel section of the Sunday New York Times featured a short story about Explorer and how it is being presented as the most luxurious cruise ship on the market. The article pointed out that those willing to spend the money to stay in the Regent Suite are provided with unlimited use and access to the spa. The article also pointed out that there are other similar type of ships coming down the pike and whether all the lines will be able to find the passengers with the means to fill their ultra luxury, ultra expensive ships.

 

 

gnomie :)

[Travelcat2]

Actually, in the Regent Suite, the Spa comes to you. There is a special area in the suite set up for that. If you look photos on this link you will see it http://www.rssc.com/ships/seven_seas_explorer/suites/default.aspx#Content

 

The Regent suite also includes "•FREE Personal Car and Guide to Explore Ashore" as well as included domestic First Class Air and Business Class Air for international flights.

[computerworks]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/travel/all-aboard-the-luxe-boat.html?_r=0

 

...The Regent Suite, seen as an industry first with unlimited treatments from Canyon Ranch Spa Club, comes with a $5,000 price tag per person, per night.

Edited May 30, 2015 by computerworks

[Travelcat2]

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/10/travel/all-aboard-the-luxe-boat.html?_r=0

 

So, when are you booking the suite? We could visit you when we are all on board :D

[computerworks]

So, when are you booking the suite? We could visit you when we are all on board :D

 

Ha! ...not soon. :cool:

[Sunprince]

I have to say that it is just so disappointing that the overall design of the ship is so commonplace. I am not talking about the decor or "luxury" but there is nothing special or innovative about the ship design. Especially problematic, for me at least, that Regent did not expand the common outdoor deck space. That's a big issue for me, as the most wonderful part of sailing is sitting outside on beautiful expansive outdoor spaces. The lack of a promenade deck that goes all around from fore to aft is a nice , but forgotten feature of the Explorer. Anyway,just my thoughts and preferences. Luxury to me is not just the "Las Vegas" flashiness of the Regent suite, but also in the actual design of the ship layout.

Edited May 30, 2015 by Sunprince

[gnomie1]

I am really surprised that Regent did not consider having adjoining rooms that does not require booking an expensive suite. One of the biggest growth areas in travel is multi-generational travel and many families prefer to be able to have adjoining rooms, as do we. We would be booking many more trips on Regent if there was the ability to book adjoining regular suite rooms. I had mentioned this a number of times on my end of cruise survey, but I guess it was not considered important. We were really hoping that the new Explorer ship would address this, but it does not.

 

I was recently at a travel agent presentation aimed solely at multi-generational travelers and it seems to me that Regent is missing out on a great opportunity to expand their market share.

 

gnomie :)

[Travelcat2]

Agree about some of the ship design on the Explorer. I could not understand why they would put their "Explorer" suites under the pool and "bridge" - both areas subject to overhead noise. Also puzzled by how small some suites are. If they were meant for single occupants (meaning no single supplement), it would have made sense.

 

In terms of multi-generational cruising, I wonder if that is a target audience for Regent? I also wonder how many families they actually have on board. We did see a large family/group of about 30 people on our last cruise (for a wedding) but do not typically see families (perhaps they sail in the summer when we are not on board?) Oceania does have adjoining cabins and is also a good choice for families. Then there is NCL that seems to be set up for this type of cruising. While not everyone will agree, I hope that Regent remains a mostly adult oasis (except when school is not in session).

 

Until we sailed on the Riviera, I was not aware of how beautiful a ship can be (not Las Vegas glitzy but beautifully appointed suites, gorgeous public areas, etc.) The one thing I missed on the Riviera was the "Regent" experience. Next year we will have the "most luxurious ship at sea " and it will be Regent. We simply selected a suite that works for us in terms of size and location and are not going to sweat the small stuff.

[Emperor Norton]

I have to say that it is just so disappointing that the overall design of the ship is so commonplace. I am not talking about the decor or "luxury" but there is nothing special or innovative about the ship design. Especially problematic, for me at least, that Regent did not expand the common outdoor deck space. That's a big issue for me, as the most wonderful part of sailing is sitting outside on beautiful expansive outdoor spaces. The lack of a promenade deck that goes all around from fore to aft is a nice , but forgotten feature of the Explorer. Anyway,just my thoughts and preferences. Luxury to me is not just the "Las Vegas" flashiness of the Regent suite, but also in the actual design of the ship layout.

 

They have an infinity pool. How many other cruise ships have that? I agree that the Vegas style doesn't belong on Regent, but after seeing what will be on the Explorer and what Oceania did on its bigger ships it would appear that FDR somehow thinks Vegas is representative of style/class/luxury.

Edited May 31, 2015 by Emperor Norton

[Travelcat2]

They have an infinity pool. How many other cruise ships have that? I agree that the Vegas style doesn't belong on Regent, but after seeing what will be on the Explorer and what Oceania did on its bigger ships it would appear that FDR somehow thinks Vegas is representative of style/class/luxury.

 

Fortunately, there will not be a "Vegas style" theater. And, IMO, there is nothing Vegas style on Oceania ships. In fact, while Oceania's Riviera is stunning, the theater is minimalist and quite boring.

[Emperor Norton]

I was thinking more of some of the lighting choices or seating.

 

 

 

 

[frantic36]

I am really surprised that Regent did not consider having adjoining rooms that does not require booking an expensive suite. One of the biggest growth areas in travel is multi-generational travel and many families prefer to be able to have adjoining rooms, as do we. We would be booking many more trips on Regent if there was the ability to book adjoining regular suite rooms. I had mentioned this a number of times on my end of cruise survey, but I guess it was not considered important. We were really hoping that the new Explorer ship would address this, but it does not.

 

I was recently at a travel agent presentation aimed solely at multi-generational travelers and it seems to me that Regent is missing out on a great opportunity to expand their market share.

 

gnomie :)

 

 

This is an example of where everyone is different.

 

My husband and I don't like adjoining rooms because of the it is more likely you will be able to hear your neighbours. This has happened to various friends on cruises and they advice using duct type helps if you seal around the door :). They also now try to avoid adjoining rooms.

 

Next year we were looking at two cruises in the Mediterranean similar itineraries. One had only an adjoining room left in the category we like. We chose the other cruise even though it was three days less. We didn't want to gamble on not being able change rooms if no one cancelled in our preferred category.

Edited May 31, 2015 by frantic36

[Travelcat2]

I was thinking more of some of the lighting choices or seating.

 

 

 

 

 

Interesting photos. With the exception of the Casino Lounge, I have not noticed the lighting in other areas of the ship. In a weird way, the lighting in the Casino Lounge kind of went with the "casino" atmosphere (but, you are right - a bit "Vegas".

[fizzy]

I was thinking more of some of the lighting choices or seating.

 

 

 

 

 

disco inferno

[computerworks]

Those are pretty awful pictures with a horrible color curve.

 

Not indicative at all of reality. :p

 

 

[Pies4u]

Agree about some of the ship design on the Explorer. I could not understand why they would put their "Explorer" suites under the pool and "bridge" - both areas subject to overhead noise. Also puzzled by how small some suites are. If they were meant for single occupants (meaning no single supplement), it would have made sense.

 

In terms of multi-generational cruising, I wonder if that is a target audience for Regent? I also wonder how many families they actually have on board. We did see a large family/group of about 30 people on our last cruise (for a wedding) but do not typically see families (perhaps they sail in the summer when we are not on board?) Oceania does have adjoining cabins and is also a good choice for families. Then there is NCL that seems to be set up for this type of cruising. While not everyone will agree, I hope that Regent remains a mostly adult oasis (except when school is not in session).

 

Until we sailed on the Riviera, I was not aware of how beautiful a ship can be (not Las Vegas glitzy but beautifully appointed suites, gorgeous public areas, etc.) The one thing I missed on the Riviera was the "Regent" experience. Next year we will have the "most luxurious ship at sea " and it will be Regent. We simply selected a suite that works for us in terms of size and location and are not going to sweat the small stuff.

 

Agree with the point re: "adult oasis". I am one of those who finds the trend towards large family groups and the concept of "multi generational" travellers a potential stumbling block. I don't want to go to a holiday camp and I don't like being surrounded, indoors ir out, by large numbers of people who have to sit together and effectively take over limited spaces.

 

Regent struck me as being more geared towards couples and appeals to those who prefer to avoid glitz, noise and Vegas style razzmatazz.

 

We often holiday at adult only hotels in the UK and in Europe &, of course, hotels like Sandals offer the same facility in the Caribbean. They are hugely popular. I don't think Regent would be losing out at all if they choose to by-pass the "family friendly" audience. There is an equally increasing market for those who want peace, tranquility and to avoid being surrounded by large family groups.

 

That said, Explorer does seem to be missing a few tricks. No aft facing lounge, limited deck space, no prom deck and 2 remarkably similar looking lounges (Explorer and Meridian) are a slight concern.

 

It does look like pm tea will be in the Observation Lounge, which will have forward facing outside space - which is good! Also, there has been little clarity about the spa pool, but I'm guessing that will be an indoor hydrotherapy pool, but it isn't clear from the pictures & info provided thus far.

 

We are sampling the SS1 suite in Sept 16 and, very much, looking forward to it.

[wripro]

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one to think the decor of the Explorer is reminiscent of Vegas. It's so overblown imo but I suppose some people consider that luxurious.

[Pies4u]

Those pictures are not Explorer are they? If so, never seen anything like that in any of the promotional material.

 

Thought the poster was showing an example Oceania decor & lighting but maybe I misread it.

[Travelcat2]

You are right Pies4u- the pictures are of the Riviera - not the Explorer. There are no "real" inside photographs of the Explorer yet. As computerworks pointed out, the photographs posted by Emperor Norton do not represent what the Riviera looks like. The camera did something weird with the lighting. There are lights in the Casino Bar (the most "glitzy" part of the ship but overly so) that change color but are much more muted that they appear in the first photos. computerworks photos look right on (particularly the photo linked below).

 

https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8106/8630738464_92890cf415_b.jpg

 

I had not noticed the lack of an aft lounge. It is interesting - particularly because one of the major complaints about the Navigator is the lack of a forward lounge. I hope that the Observation Lounge is large enough to accommodate the number of people that want to see sailaways, participate in trivia and tea time, etc. The Horizon Lounges on the Mariner and Voyager get overloaded with passengers during trivia and "tea".

 

If the U.S. had more adult vacation resorts, we might take less cruises. On the other hand, we would miss the water:)

Edited May 31, 2015 by Travelcat2

[Pies4u]

Tea time on Mariner was occasionally busy but never over crowded on our recent cruise. We really enjoyed the Horizon lounge & seems a shame that Explorer lacks a similar lounge.

 

The sailaways is an interesting point, we had an aft suite & tended to stay on our own balcony. Equally, the departure times were often quite late so not many folks were about anyway. We dined outside at SM on the evening we sailed out if Palermo, that was fantastic & we'd love to mirror that experience on Explorer.

[Emperor Norton]

Those are pretty awful pictures with a horrible color curve.

 

Not indicative at all of reality. :p

 

 

 

As the lighting isn't static the colors do change both to the Mk1Mod0 eyeball and the DSLR sensor. So the reality was - that was what my sensor picked up. Sorry if people jiggled their WB or other settings around to get different images but that was what I saw on my cruise (they weren't there so take their absentee opinions with a box of salt...) Don't worry, unless things go pear shaped I should have some of the first pax images from the Explorer. I'm especially curious about the chairs that look like you need to be very young and limber to enjoy.

[computerworks]

Whatever you said... they are still awfully color balanced. :o

[Emperor Norton]

Same camera. Same WB point IIRC -

 

(that blueish tint seems to match your images).

[Travelcat2]

Really like that last picture - very clear. As I mentioned, we really hardly noticed the colored lights and did not find them "glitzy". IMO, the Riviera is tastefully done -- love the Lalique Crystal that is by the elevator.

 

Emperor Norton, were you referring to the chairs that will be on the Explorer or the chairs pictured on the Riviera? The ones pictures are the Riviera are very heavy and quite uncomfortable. They reportedly cost $10,000 each and were quite nice the first time we were on the Riviera (the ship was one year old) but were not wearing well a year later when we sailed again).

 

I think that those of us that have sailed the Riviera will continue to make comparisons. Someone noticed that the Riviera and the Explorer look almost identical from the outside (same shape).

[Emperor Norton]

The chairs I was referring to were the ones that I think will be in specialty restaurant on the Explorer. That's based off the brochure that came with (around?) the bit of steel from the ship. I realize things could have changed since then - but it'll take the inaugural cruise to find out.